Portrait of Xi Jinping
Politician · person
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Xi Jinping on Kim Jong Un

Strategic ally and partner (strong)

TL;DR

Xi Jinping consistently views Kim Jong Un as a partner with whom to advance socialist construction and regional peace.

Key Points

  • Xi Jinping held talks with Kim Jong Un in Beijing in January 2019, reaching an important consensus on bilateral relations.

  • He sent a congratulatory message in September 2025 following Kim's attendance at the 80th anniversary of the China Victory Day Parade.

  • In September 2020, he expressed being sincerely glad about North Korea's economic development achievements under Kim Jong Un's leadership.

Summary

Xi Jinping maintains a position of consistent high-level engagement and strategic alignment with Kim Jong Un, viewing him as the legitimate leader of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. This stance is evidenced by frequent high-level meetings, such as the talks in January 2019 and Xi's state visit to Pyongyang in June 2019, where the leaders forged important consensus on bilateral relations and regional stability. Xi regularly sends congratulatory messages to Kim on significant political milestones, such as election as General Secretary, affirming the profound trust and support from the North Korean party and people.

The relationship is framed by Xi as an unwavering strategic policy for China, emphasizing that the two nations are socialist friendly neighbors committed to mutual support. Despite international fluctuations, this partnership aims to steer the political settlement process on the Korean Peninsula and deepen the bonds of friendship between the two peoples. The Chinese leadership expresses hope to collaborate closely with Kim Jong Un to implement forged consensus, thereby advancing socialist construction in both nations and contributing to regional peace and prosperity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Xi Jinping views Kim Jong Un as a key strategic partner, engaging him through numerous high-level summits and official correspondence. His position is consistently positive, framing the relationship as a bedrock of regional stability and mutual socialist development. He reaffirms this through messages congratulating Kim on political achievements.

The overall stance has remained consistently positive and supportive of the leadership, classifying the relationship as an unwavering strategic guideline for China. However, the context of their engagement evolves, such as shifting focus from direct denuclearization talks to broader economic cooperation and bilateral ties over time.

Xi Jinping has publicly praised the leadership of Kim Jong Un, noting that he has united and led the North Korean people to achieve new triumphs in socialist construction. He recognizes the re-election of Comrade Kim Jong Un as General Secretary as a manifestation of profound trust from the WPK and the DPRK people.